France publishes sanctions list if UK withholds fishing licenses

PARIS (Reuters) – France has released a list of sanctions that could take effect from November 2 unless there is enough progress in its post-Brexit dispute with Britain, and said it was working on a second round of sanctions that could affect on the European Union countries. Britain. Supply to the UK.

The British government said the threats were “disappointing and disproportionate” and would seek urgent clarification before considering action to respond.

And the Ministries of Maritime and European Affairs said in a joint statement that France may intensify border and health controls on goods from Britain, prevent British fishing boats from reaching designated French ports and increase control of trucks arriving and heading to the United Kingdom.

“A second round of measures is being prepared. France is not ruling out a review of the UK’s electricity supply,” the statement said.

Earlier today, government spokesman Gabriel Attal said French fishermen do not have half of the licenses they need to fish in British waters that Paris says they owe them after Brexit.

Atal said France was preparing a list of sanctions that it might announce on Thursday. He added that some of them will enter into force early next week unless there is sufficient progress.

“Our patience has reached its limits,” Attal said, noting that France’s supply of electricity to Britain could be one of the measures.

Meanwhile, French European Affairs Minister Clement Bonn said at a French parliamentary hearing that France may tighten border controls on products from Britain if the situation with regard to fishing licenses does not improve.

“Our goal is not to impose these measures, but to obtain licenses,” Boone added.

A British government spokesman said he would convey concerns to the European Union Commission and the French government.

“Threats from France are disappointing and disproportionate, and not what we would expect from a close ally and partner.”

“The threatened measures do not appear to be compatible with the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) and broader international law and, if implemented, would have an appropriate and measured response.”

David Frost, Brexit secretary, said there were no official communications from the French government on the matter.

The dispute revolves around the issuance of licenses to fish in territorial waters six to 12 nautical miles off the British coast, as well as in the seas off the coast of Jersey, belonging to the English Crown Channel.

Tensions prompted France and Britain to send warships off the coast of Jersey earlier this year. See more information

(Report: Sudip Kar-Gupta). Additional reporting by Kylie McClellan and Costas Petsas in London and Dominic Vidalon in Paris; Editing by Richard Love, Barbara Lewis, William Maclean, Sandra Mahler and Sonia Hipstel

Our criteria: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.